Punjab (Gurpreet Singh): Several parts of Punjab are bracing for possible flooding as a combination of persistent rainfall and increased water discharge from major dams pushes river levels higher. The weather department has issued a heavy rain alert for multiple districts, prompting state authorities to ramp up preparedness measures.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for 13 districts across the state. These include key areas such as Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Mohali, and Jalandhar, where rainfall activity is expected to intensify. A yellow alert has been issued for the remaining districts, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 40 km/h.
Weather patterns have been influenced by an active Western Disturbance currently passing through the northern belt of India. The system has brought a sharp rise in rainfall across hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh, increasing the volume of water flowing into Punjab’s rivers.
In response to rising reservoir levels, dam authorities have started releasing water in a phased manner to manage the pressure. Bhakra Dam discharged over 40,000 cusecs of water, while Pong Dam and Ranjit Sagar Dam released around 39,000 and 33,000 cusecs, respectively. As a result, the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers have all witnessed a noticeable surge.
Rainfall began early Sunday in cities like Jalandhar and Amritsar, with several areas experiencing waterlogging by morning. While Ludhiana recorded only light showers, overcast skies and humidity persisted throughout the day in Mohali, indicating unstable weather conditions.
Local administrations in vulnerable regions have begun round-the-clock monitoring of water levels. Districts situated along riverbanks—including Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Moga, and Hoshiarpur—are under close observation. So far, no major flooding has been reported, but emergency teams remain on standby.
Authorities are urging residents to stay cautious and avoid low-lying areas, especially those near riverbanks. With the rain forecast to continue into Tuesday, officials are treating the situation seriously and have assured the public of timely updates and swift response in case conditions worsen.
